Final Battle ⑳

Shun's Perspective

Since Suzuka appeared, the tide of battle turned abruptly.

Rayce, aiming at the Demon King, was blocked by Suzuka and immediately defeated.

The Black God also seemed to have lost to Suzuka, collapsing to the ground.

Suzuka's long-range attacks hit Gen and Hyban with pinpoint accuracy—there was nothing we could do to counter.

It was as if she had tracking capability, striking with unerring precision.

Meanwhile, our long-range attacks were easily evaded.

To change this situation, we had no choice but to close the distance with Suzuka.

"Katarina. I'm going to sneak toward Suzuka."

"Wha—!? You understand the situation!?"

"Your voice is too loud! That's why I'm moving!"

Right now, Suzuka's focus was entirely on Gen and Hyban.

Occasionally, glances are cast toward Niea and Sue, but no attack has been launched in that direction yet.

The plan is likely to eliminate Gen and Hyban first—those two, in dragon form, are the largest targets.

And my awareness, along with Katia’s, is entirely absent.

To be honest, we’re the least combat-effective presence here—barely more than irrelevant.

That’s why Haruki understands it too.

Thus, we are excluded from consideration.

“But even if we get close, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“We don’t need to do anything. In fact, we can’t. So revive Reise.”

My only ability is resurrection through compassion.

Reise’s corpse lies behind Haruki.

If fortune favors, Reise might be restored—and we could strike from behind.

“Will it really work that well?”

The odds are against us, but victory is impossible without success.

We are currently at a disadvantage.

If this continues, defeat is certain.

Then, even a gamble with poor odds must be taken.

"...Then we should go to Lord Ronant first."

"Indeed."

The words alone convey Katia’s intent.

Meaning, rely on Lord Ronant’s transfer ability, correct?

"Then I shall proceed."

"Right."

"Fine. I’ll at least play the part of distraction."

The decision was made among us when Neia’s voice reached us from nearby.

Immediately after, Neia transformed into dragon form.

Positioning herself so as to conceal us from Yohha.

Then Neia deliberately unleashed an ice breath toward Yohha, drawing attention.

We are now fully out of Yohha’s line of sight.

Internally, I offered thanks to Neia, and we began moving quietly.

Most of the spider-like creatures had already been defeated.

No obstacles remained to hinder us. The corpses of the spider-like creatures served as effective barriers, concealing our movement.

This allows us to reach Lord Ronant without drawing attention.

We arrived at Lord Ronant’s location shortly thereafter.

Lord Ronant was engaged in combat with a large spider-like creature—Arcatarauct.

Arcatarauct was a danger level S entity, a myth-tier being on the threshold of divine power.

No human could face it alone.

…Yet Lord Ronant fought Arcatarauct on equal footing.

Arcatarauct charged using its massive frame.

In response, Lord Ronant launched a scorching fireball toward it.

Arcatarauct fired a dark projectile in counterattack, but the fireball consumed it and pressed forward.

Arcatarauct could not help but leap diagonally backward to evade the fireball, increasing the distance between itself and Lord Ronant.

Impressive.

This is the strongest mage among humans.

Julius’s older brother’s magic instructor.

— No time for admiration.

Approaching Arcatarauct from behind as it lunged again at Lord Ronant, I severed its rear leg.

The strike landed cleanly—Arcatarauct had no defense.

Arcatarauct screamed.

It spun quickly, locking eyes with me.

“Dare you turn your back on me?”

Lord Ronant spoke from behind Arcatarauct.

By the time Arcatarauct turned, a beam of heat had pierced its body.

Arcatarauct shrieks again as a beam of heat pierces its body.

I drive my sword into its head.

Arcatarauct’s massive frame convulses violently. Strength drains from the legs supporting it.

It collapses with a sound.

“Phew. Thanks for the backup.”

“No. I believe Lord Ronant could have defeated it alone.”

I gained no real advantage. Only caught him off guard.

From the way he fought earlier, Lord Ronant could have defeated it alone.

“Not quite. Even a monster of that class is difficult to face while shielding a fallen one.”

Lord Ronant looks at the fallen elder.

The elder is the Pope.

He used the skill Harmony to nullify the enemy’s attacks twice.

Yet the skill of harmony seemed to carry significant backlash—the Pope lay collapsed, covered in blood.

"Treat her."

I'm fine—other... gghh!

Pope, coughing blood mid-sentence.

Appears to be on the verge of death.

"...Lord Ronant, can we be transferred to Rayce's location?"

I abandoned the Pope.

If I use healing magic here, the Pope's wound should be cured.

But it will take time, and even if the Pope is healed, that alone will not suffice to improve the situation.

Abandoning a person is a bitter choice, but this too is part of the preparation.

…Quite the unpleasant way to make a decision.

Do you understand? That power consumes your own body.

I understand. I am prepared.

Answering while looking straight into Lord Ronant’s eyes.

Lord Ronant let out a deep sigh, then fell silent and began preparing his magic.

“This one I shall handle. What? Even my strength cannot overcome anything beyond this. I am merely doing what I can. Therefore, you as well—do what you can, within your limits.”

“Yes.”

That was Lord Ronant’s way of expressing concern for us.

Do not be reckless.

But I apologize.

We cannot win without recklessness now.

Then, through Lord Ronant’s teleportation, both I and Catia were transported to Rayce’s location.